STAMPEDE: No. 1 North Shore (TX) Mustangs roll in opener; no changes to Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings, but No. 13 De Smet Jesuit (MO) confirms opener

BENSALEM, Pa. – For the second straight week the Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings remain the same. There were no losses suffered and know we head into the month of October.

This weekend Arizona, Louisiana and New Jersey open their seasons and the Philadelphia Catholic League reversed a decision and will play games this fall after all. Same goes for Colorado where about 80 percent of the schools will begin the season this month. Minnesota is also back in business and will commence on Oct. 9 with a maximum of six games. The season will run until Nov. 28. That leaves Illinois as the lone Midwestern state that will go in the spring. Delaware will get a late start in October after 25 days of preparation (beginning Sept. 28) as will Maryland. In Maryland, the games will begin Oct. 27 and go until the second week of December. However, not every county in Maryland is planning a fall return. Montgomery County is one that will go in the spring.

The last count there are 14 states and the District of Columbia that will play in Winter/Spring 2021. States are not playing football this fall include: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

Nine teams, including three from south Florida, have not played. No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), No. 6 Central (Miami) and No. 10 Northwestern (Miami) are still awaiting their opening night assignments. When Central and Northwestern get started they won’t be headed to the state playoffs because Miami-Dade County public schools have opted out. St. Thomas Aquinas will participate in the postseason.

Last weekend, No. 3 Duncanville (Texas) had its game canceled by the COVID-19 novel coronavirus but will play this weekend. No. 9 Chandler (Ariz.), No. 15 St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) and Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) kick their seasons off this weekend and No. 18 Pickerington (Ohio) Central closes out the regular season. No. 13 De Smet Jesuit (St. Louis) will open their title defense on Oct. 10 at a neutral in Festus, Mo.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall rankings return on Oct. 6.

Stay safe, mask up when possible, practice social distancing and support your local businesses that have taken major financial hits since March. We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall Rankings, Sept. 29, 2020

1. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (1-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated Shadow Creek (Alvin), 39-21. Auburn-bound QB Dematrius Davis scored two touchdowns and junior CB Denver Harris interception two passes, including a pick-six.

Next: Thursday vs. Klein Collins (Spring).

2. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (3-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Rolled past Ravenwood (Brentwood, Tenn.), 45-14. Michigan-bound QB J.J. McCarthy completed 16 of 31 passes for 193 yards and a score.

Next: Saturday vs. Life Christian Academy (Chester, Va.).

3. Duncanville, Texas (0-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Idle. Game with Nolan Catholic (Fort Worth) was canceled when a Nolan player tested positive with the coronavirus.

Next: Friday at South Oak Cliff (Dallas).

4. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (0-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Idle. The Philadelphia Catholic League will play this fall reversing a previous decision.

Next: Oct. 10 vs.  La Salle College High (Wyndmoor, Pa.).

5. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (0-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Idle. The Raiders will open the season in late October and have opted in to the FHSAA Class 7A playoffs. The Broward Cunty public schools won’t participate in the playoffs this year.

Next: TBA.

6. Central, Miami (0-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Idle. Last week, Yulkeith Brown and RB Amari Daniels were selected to play in the 2021 All-American Game. The senior all-star game will be played inside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas in January.

Next: TBA.

7. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (4-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Archer (Lawrenceville), 26-7. RB Phil Mafah scored on runs of 57 and 9 yards and added a two-point conversion and A.J. Lopez had a pick-six from 73 yards.

Next: Oct. 9 vs. Mill Creek (Hoschton).

8. Katy, Texas (1-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated Clear Springs (League City), 28-13. RB Jalen Davis scored three TDs.

Next: Saturday vs. Cypress Woods (Cypress).

9. Chandler, Ariz. (0-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Idle. The Arizona Interscholastic Association allowed teams to resume practice Sept. 7, games commence this week and the state championship games are Dec. 11 and 12.

Next: Friday at Liberty (Peoria).

10. Northwestern, Miami (0-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Idle. Miami-Dade County has not released schedules.

Next: TBA.

11. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (2-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Clearwater, 24-0.

Next: Friday at Bartram Trail (St. Johns).

12. Westlake, Austin, Texas (1-0)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Defeated Schertz Clemens, 53-7. RB Zane Minors carried 7 times for 116 yards and three TDs.

Next: Friday at Hewitt Midway.

13. De Smet Jesuit, St. Louis (0-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Idle. Finally, the reigning Missouri Class 6 champions have an opening date and it’s against a fierce rival.

Next: Oct. 10 vs. Christian Brothers College (St. Louis).

14. Denton (Texas) Guyer (1-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Hebron (Carrollton), 56-33. Big rivalry game is on tap this weekend.

Next: Friday vs. Denton Ryan.

15. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (0-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Idle. New Jersey teams finally kick off this weekend.

Next: Friday at West Orange.

16. Trinity. Louisville, Ky. (2-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Idle. This weekend is one of American’s greatest rivalry games, Kentucky’s version of the Vatican Bowl.

Next: Friday at Saint Xavier (Louisville).

17. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (7-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Lone Peak (Highland), 35-25. QB Jaxson Dart tossed three TDs to WR Cody Hagen and ran for another. The Chargers trailed, 19-14, but scored 21 unanswered points.

Next: Friday vs. Westlake (Saratoga Springs).

18. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (5-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Lancaster, 35-0. The Tigers posted a third shutout of the season and have allowed only nine points in five outings. The regular season concludes this weekend.

Next: Thursday at Reynoldsburg.

19. Lowndes County, Valdosta, Ga. (4-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Lee County (Leesburg), 38-13. QB Jacurri Brown ran for 150 yards and three TDs on 16 carries and passed for another score. The Vikings are off this weekend and will prepare for a crosstown rival.

Next: Oct. 9 at Valdosta.

20. Owasso, Okla. (4-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Union (Tulsa), 34-14.

Next: Friday at Norman North.

21. Bixby, Okla. (4-0)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Crushed Bartlesville, 74-7. QB Mason Williams threw for seven TDs in the opening half, stretching the win streak to 29 games.

Next: Friday at Carl Albert (Midwest City).

22. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (0-0)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Idle. The Crusaders open with a bitter rival during a six-game regular season.

Next: Saturday at St. Joseph Regional (Montvale).

23. Thompson, Alabaster, Ala. (6-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Shut out Mountain Brook (Birmingham), 31-0.

Next: Friday vs. Vestavia Hills.

24. Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind. (6-0)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Lawrence Central (Indianapolis), 66-0. RB Carson Steele rushed for four TDs.

Next: Friday at Pike (Indianapolis).

25. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (1-0)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated White Knoll (Lexington), 66-0. The drive for five straight state titles started out with a resounding victory.

Next: Friday at Chapin.

Dropped out: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Central Dauphin, Harrisburg, Pa. (1-0)
2. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (0-0)
3. Pine-Richland, Gibsonia, Pa. (2-0)
4. Williamstown, N.J. (0-0)
5. North Allegheny, Wexford, Pa. (2-0)

Geography: Connecticut^, Delaware, District of Columbia^, Maine^, Massachusetts^, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York^, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island^, Vermont^ and Virginia^.

Midwest

1. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (4-0)
2. Cathedral, Indianapolis (6-0)
3. Belleville, Mich. (2-0)
4. Century, Bismarck, N.D. (3-0)
5. Coffman, Dublin, Ohio (5-0)

Geography: Indiana, Illinois^, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Southland

1. Allen, Texas (1-0)
2. Hoover, Ala. (6-0)
3. Booker T. Washington, Miami (0-0)
4. Starkville, Miss. (4-0)
5. Archbishop Rummel. Metairie, La. (0-0)

Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina^, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Far West

1. Skyridge, Lehi, Utah (7-0)
2. Sahuaro, Scottsdale, Ariz. (0-0)
3. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (0-0)
4. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (3-0)
5. Lone Peak, Highland, Utah (6-1)

Geography: Alaska, Arizona, California^, Colorado, Hawaii^, Idaho, Montana, Nevada^, New Mexico^, Oregon^, Utah, Washington^ and Wyoming.

^ Will play season in Winter/Spring 2021

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings are released weekly from September until the conclusion of the high school season. For the 2020-2021 school year, there will be two separate rankings in the fall and winter/spring due to coronavirus concerns. Criteria considered are the quality of the team and its players, strength of schedule, tradition, and quality of the team’s league, conference, region or district. The rankings are compiled by Blue Star Media’s Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released in June 2021. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.